Science 8 – Helgeson
Monstrous Mutations
Name: _____________________________ Period: ______
Objective: Explore the effect of random mutations on animals’ survival skills.
Introduction:
The process of evolution involves changes in the genetic makeup of a population over a period of time.
The production of the new genetic material results from alterations in the DNA of a developing
organism. This random alteration of DNA from parent to offspring (called mutations) produces variable
characteristics in offspring. These mutations are not related to the present needs of an organism but
are merely the result of chance.
As a result of mutations, some organisms in a population will have a set of genes that are better suited
to the current environmental conditions. These organisms will have a better chance of surviving and
reproducing offspring, known as natural selection (survival of the fittest).
Unfortunately, not all mutations are helpful. Some alterations of DNA result in characteristics that harm
the organism or do not affect it at all. Lizards’ ability to change color is an example of a beneficial
mutation that was retained and passed on to future generations. A fawn born with instead of brown as
the result of a mutation would probably not survive long enough to reproduce because of its inability to
conceal itself from predators. Such harmful mutations do not remain in the population long enough to
be passed on to future offspring.
The characteristics caused by mutations that are retained and passed on to future offspring are called
adaptations. These adaptations can be structural, physiological or behavioral. Antlers on deer, quills on
a porcupine and venomous glands on a rattlesnake are examples of structural adaptations. A cat
arching its back and an owl ruffling its feathers are examples of behavioral adaptations. A physiological
adaptation in an organism is characterized by the reduction of the flow of warm blood to the skin in
response to cold weather.
Why do organisms adapt? They do this in response to the need to obtain energy, nutrients and water
from the environment. Adaptations are necessary to protect animals from predators and ward off
disease-causing organisms. These adaptations allow them to compete with other organisms for limited
resources.
Pre-lab Questions:
1. What is a mutation? _____________________________________________________
2. An opossum’s ability to play dead when approached by a predator is an example of a
______________________________ adaptation.
3. A bird’s ability to fly south when winter weather approaches is an example of a
______________________________ adaptation.
4. The growth of a heavy coat of hair by an organism in response to cold temperatures is an example of
a ____________________________ adaptation.
5. List three adaptations not mentioned in the introduction section.
a. _________________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________________
Background:
Students will form equal groups. Each student will simulate an animal with a mutation that can only
digest candy as its food source.
The goals of the group are to:
1. Gather the food (3 candies per group member) and return to home location.
2. Process and consume the food (remove candy from the wrapper and consume [open them to appear
as eaten]).
Procedure:
1. Each group finds out which mutation has occurred to their group by selecting a letter from the paper
bag. The letter drawn will correspond to the characteristic listed on Chart One. The letter also
corresponds to the letter of each group’s home location.
2. Each group prepares itself to represent the characteristic produced by their mutation.
Chart One
Letter drawn by groups
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Characteristic produced by mutation
Long fingernails (produced by plastic knives taped to fingers)
No fingers (produced by placing a sock over each hand and taping hand
closed)
Lack of peripheral vision (produced by putting on goggles and stuffing
cotton on the sides to prevent viewing from the side)
Hands fused together in front of body (produced by placing hands
together in front of body and tying them together)
Feet and ankles fused together (produced by tying the ankles tightly
together)
No arms (produced by securing arms down to the side of the body)
Arms fused together behind the back at the wrists (produced by placing
arms behind the back and securing tightly at the wrists)
Blind (produced by blind folding)
3. Each group positions itself at its specified home location.
4. At the start of the stopwatch:
• Group members will proceed to the food source and gather two candies each (ex: if there are 4 group
members, 8 candies are to be collected).
• The group members return to their home base with their candies.
• At the home location, each group member will consume the candies.
• When all members have eaten their candies, the group will shout the letter of their group.
• The amount of time required to achieve this will be recorded on the board, and then transferred onto
Chart Two.
Chart Two
Mutation Group
A
Long fingernails
B
No fingers
C
Lack of peripheral vision
D
Hands fused together in front of body
E
Feet and ankles fused together
F
No arms
G
Arms fused together behind the back at the wrists
H
Blind
Time (Minutes)
Conclusion:
1. Which characteristic caused by mutation appeared to be the most detrimental to the survival of a
species? Explain your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__ __________________________________________________________________________________
2. Which characteristic caused by mutation appeared to have the least detrimental effect on an
organism’s ability to survive? Explain your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__ __________________________________________________________________________________
3. Create an adaptation that might result from a mutation that would enable the organism to achieve
these goals.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__ __________________________________________________________________________________
4. Make up an adaptation that might result from a mutation that would prevent the organism from
achieving these goals.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__ __________________________________________________________________________________